Siege of Baghdad (812–813)

Siege of Baghdad (812–813)
Part of the Fourth Fitna
Baghdad in the late 8th/early 9th centuries
Date August 812 – 28 September 813 Location Baghdad, Iraq Result Decisive victory of Al-Ma'mun's forces
Belligerents
Al-Amin's forces	Al-Ma'mun' forces
Commanders and leaders
Al-Amin † Abd al-Rahman ibn Jabala  † Muhammad ibn Yazid al-Muhallabi al-Samarqandi	Tahir ibn Husayn Harthama ibn A'yan Zuhayr ibn al-Musayyab al-Dabbi
Casualties and losses
High	Low

The siege of Baghdad was a part of a civil war between al-Amin and al-Ma'mun for the Abbasid Caliphate of Baghdad. The siege lasted from August 812 until September 813. The siege is described in great detail by Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari in his famous History of the Prophets and Kings.

After the defeat of Caliph al-Amin's army at the Battle of Rayy and the death of his commander Ali ibn Isa ibn Mahan, the armies of al-Amin were in retreat moving west from Iran to Iraq back to their base camp at Baghdad. Al-Ma'mun's general Tahir ibn Husayn, the victor of Battle of Rayy decided to chase the retreating army. However, reinforcements from Baghdad arrived under the able leadership of Abd al-Rahman ibn Jabala. Abd al-Rahman decided to fortify himself behind the walls and gates of Hamadan. But when Tahir ibn Husayn came closer to the city, Abd al-Rahman decided to come out and meet this threat head on. Twice Abd al-Rahman was driven back into the city. Tahir ibn Husayn began a blockade of the city and Abd al-Rahman’s forces began to shower arrows and throw stones from the city walls. Eventually Abd al-Rahman was obliged to leave and ask for terms due to resentment of the people of Hamadan at the occupation and rapidly depleting supplies.

Tahir ibn Husayn, realizing that Abd al-Rahman ibn Jabala had left the city, decided not to waste further time in Hamadan and marched westward towards Baghdad. On his way, he reached a certain pass named Asadabad where his army was ambushed by Abd al-Rahman ibn Jabala. The surprise attack caught Tahir’s troops off guard. But because the army was well disciplined the infantry managed to hold them off until Tahir ibn Husayn’s cavalry was ready to attack. In the ensuing confusion Abd al-Rahman ibn Jabala who had dismounted his horse was killed and his army defeated.

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